Ocean To Sea, in partnership with DC Water, HRSD, the Ocean Sewage Alliance, and the Water Research Foundation (WRF), has awarded $225,000 to a team of researchers that will explore the potential implementation of ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) into municipal wastewater treatment facilities on a global scale.
The purpose of the research is to produce a foundational technical report examining whether wastewater infrastructure can be optimized to deliver broader public benefits, such as cleaner water and reduced treatment costs, as well as curbed ocean acidification and durable carbon dioxide removal (CDR) results.
With the award, scientists, engineers, and industry professionals will join forces on researching opportunities for integrating methods such as wastewater alkalinity enhancement (WAE) within the wastewater treatment sector.
While representing a crucial part of public infrastructure, wastewater treatment facilities account for an estimated 3–7% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
The research effort aims to study whether this industry can be turned into a platform that can deliver measurable climate and environmental benefits.
OAE is an emerging ocean-based CO2 removal method that enhances the ocean’s natural capacity to absorb and store carbon dioxide.
The WAE method, pioneered by CREW Carbon, has been deployed by CREW at over 10 utilities so far, where it serves to improve nutrient removal and settleability and remove greenhouse gases.
Relevant: CREW Carbon Secures $25M To Scale Its Wastewater Treatment Optimization Technology
Both OAE and WAE are stated to have the potential to convert existing wastewater treatment plants into climate and environmental assets, while also unlocking increases in treatment capacity and eliminating the need for costly upgrades.
The winning team of experts will explore OAE implementation opportunities
The awarded research team unites experts from leading universities, standards organizations, utilities, water tech and CDR companies, and engineering firms, who will work on evaluating the scientific, operational, geographic, and policy implications of OAE.
This collaboration intends to produce a final technical report that will lay the groundwork for evaluating the geographic feasibility, climate impacts, operational considerations, and recommendations for future pilot deployments.
Brishelle Gamble at the Carbon to Sea Initiative stated, “Municipal wastewater treatment is essential public infrastructure. This report will help evaluate whether using those systems for ocean alkalinity enhancement can also contribute to healthier waterways, more resilient coastal communities, and long-term climate goals.”
